These 2024 high school graduates can look back with pride as we salute them in our annual tribute to academic excellence.
Each year, we ask schools in the east metro and western Wisconsin to send names of their top graduates, however they define them. Some designate valedictorians and salutatorians, others award “cum laude” honors. Some choose a Top 10 or a percentage of the class.
For those who send us a smaller list, we invite them to include information about the students’ parents, their plans for the future, and their favorite quotes.
The inspirational words this year come from the Bible and the Quran, from writers and poets and musicians, from athletes and public figures.
Among our favorites:
“Failing at something is the best way to learn what it takes to succeed at it,” from Summer Sanders, a medalist in swimming at the 1992 Olympics.
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure,” from Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state.
“There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal,” from the late American writer Toni Morrison.
And as a closing note to the honored graduates, this from the late Minor Myers Jr., president of Illinois Wesleyan University from 1989 to 2003: “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.”
AFSA, Vadnais Heights
Tyler Courtney
Parents: Celia Courtney, Kevin Courtney
College, major: University of Minnesota, sports management
Alex Harstad
Parents: Dana Harstad, Tim Harstad
College, major: University of Wisconsin-River Falls, horticulture
Isabel Shumye
Parents: Helen Beyene, Mesfin Negia
College, major: University of Minnesota, pre-dentistry
Nicholas Randall
Parents: Nancy Randall, Bill Randall
College, major: University of Minnesota, product design
Antonio Adaya Ramirez
Parents: Gina Adaya Ramirez, Sergio Adaya Ramirez
College, major: St. Paul College, carpentry
AGAPE, St. Paul
Distinguished graduates: Aelyn Hernandez Hurtado, Paw Shee Kpulue, Naira Laureano, Savanah Lee, Ma Tha Da Tun, Larisia Williams
Apple Valley
Summa cum laude
Graceanne Abbas, Emily Aucapina Jara, Carter Austin, Dominic Bauer, Carson Bothof, Melina Cha, Vivian Chen, Ashlyn Derosier, Anna Dorson, Ileyah Doualeh, Gavin Ehlers, Anya Gann, Augustus Garcia, Walter Haakenson, Evan Haley, Lauren Hoyt, Colin Kahle, Muntas Kiyton, Breanna Klobe, Hannah Krohn, Rileigh Lamberson, Joven Langseth, Dylan Lawrence, Jack Lewandowski, Kyen Lundgren, Gwen Marcott, Zoey Meier, Aaliah Moallim, Alexandre Mock, Muna Mohamud, Cindy Narvaez-Barbecho, Megan Nguyen, Andrew Prochnow, Pierrenarra Keanu Proeun, Carmen Puente, Mallory Quist, Sarah Schaefer, Jessica Schwartz, Ajay Singh, Ellen Stumbo, Blayke Swanson Gonzalez, Sonya Yelagin
Magna cum laude
Jamaad Ahmed, Ayan Ahmed, Ewaoluwa Akande, Grace Alagbo, Garrett Anderson, Valerie Buckland, Max Chamberlain, Hayden Dylla, Brandon Gentz, Alex Gilbertson, Charlotte Gram, Anna Hansen, Alexander Hawks, Molly Hentges, Eduardo Hernandez-Hernandez, David Herron, Ana Higuera, Faith Hoff, Pamela Idrovo Merchan, Aneesa Ishal, Miles Jensen, Rose Kuhn, Joshua Lee, Sean Litterer, Tony Ma, Jun Xian Ma, Brooks Mertens, Fahima Mohamed, Naema Mohamed, Khadar Mohamed, Mfaz Mohamed Ali, Fardowsa Mohamud, Marly Monson, Kenna Naughton, Vi Nguyen, Esther Ocharo, Aidyn O’Hare, Charlie Oster, Anthony Michael Smart, Luke Syverson, Devika Thakurdial, Nathnael Tizazu, Ava Torgerson, Nora Tsai, Orlando Vergara Villalobos, Cydney Vergara-Sanchez, Jonathan Walls, Ahmed Warsame, Anya Yelagin
Cum laude
Hanan Abdi, Yaasir Abdi, Feben Abraham, Helen Abraham, Maida Ahmed, Jonathan Alex, Sophia Austin, Jorge Calvillo, Leo Chamberlain, Adrianna Clark, Sophie Cossitt, Madalyn Davis, Caleb Eberly, Jacob Field, Karolay Gaona Morocho, Angelie Ham, Kylie Hanson, Jesus Higuera, Avary Johnson, Katherine Jovanovic, America Juarez Ginez, Ashley Khadka, Meyer Kreutzmann, Quinn Lindgren, Ryan Lorenz, Lojaine Maghtheh, Devin McGregor, Sidona Mehari, Brian Mendoza Martinez, Samira Mohamed, Jared Monsen, Victor Navarro-Hernandez, Grace Nelson, Joe O’Brien, Mubarak Omar, Ashley Phommasengkeo, Jariah Ratcliff, Emelia Reynoso, Ella Rudashevsky, Ezequiel Sanchez, Katherine Thompson, Benjamin Walls, Brodyn Ward, Alexandra Weigel, Javon York
Baldwin-Woodville, Baldwin, Wis.
Sydney Boyer, Nicholas Carriveaux, Lola Chamberlain, Madison Clark, Samuel Davis, Landon Eggen, Hannah Forrest, Annabelle George, Mallory Hable, Dominucci Haselman, Colton Hush, Natalie Jascot, Jackson Johansen, Janessa Karau, Chloe Knox, Hayley Krinkie, August Kroening, Zoey Kusilek, Keelyn Lee, Jenna Livingston, Bryton Logterman, Maran Luckwaldt, Lewis Maino, Payton Mikla, Abigail Nilssen, Marin Nygaard, Reyah Oehlke, Benjamin Paquette, Grayson Pastor, Sophia Pizarro, Tyler Pollack, Julias Rudak, Annnika Schultz, Ella Schutz, Vincent Serafina, Brayden Shafer, Ryan Veenendall, Kennedy Wang, Charles Willink, Kendra Woodruff, Emma Yanish
Barron, Wis.
Summa cum laude: Hailee Halverson, Trinity Halverson, Summer Hammann, Ashlynn Mark, Brady Mickelson, Emma Thompson
Magna cum laude: Taylor Anderson, Juri Apanecatl-Juarez, Andrea Bechard, Aiyana Hillman, Ashley Kurschner, Cameron Mullikin
Cum laude: Miranda Anderson, Declan Dennis, Dakota Dresser, Rayna Hauck, Ashlee Jilek, Logan Keilholtz, Lilly Kunkel, Brevin Neuman, Alexia Paulsen, Jordan Taylor, Johnathen Wakefield, Mackenzie Weltzin, Mason Williams
Blaine
Highest honors
Michael Aber, Ahmed Al Bubseeree, Maxwell Albers, Heraan Aliye, Carley Anderson, Cole Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Dorcas Aroloye, Lourie Ayega, Tyler Bargman, Alexander Barnett, Anastasia Beckman, Marketta Beffel, Isabelle Blomberg, Nisha Chandramouli, Noah Chatelle, Zoe Chen, Lillian Cole,, Maya Daly, Henry Danh, Jayden De Alba, Ayden DeBoer, Dru Dramdahl, Angelina Drews, Hannah Erickson, Edin Erie, Tessa Ewer, Andrew Fedor, Clinton Follette, Andrew Geisel, Andrew Gettel, Delana Glunz, Elizabeth Gohdes, Megan Griswold, Ethan Gross, Isabella Hargraves, Reese Harvey, Jake Heggestad, Brooke Helmeke, Marc Hill, Thomas Holt, Ramsha Hoti, Jenna Jakubiec, Maida Jama, Fatra Jeilan, Bellamy John, Nathan Johnson, Nicholas Jund, Avery Kaiser, Dorcas Kapemba, Samantha Karsnia, Fatima Kazar, Ellie Kearin, Mujaddid Khan, Macie Kratsch, Katherine Lewis, Liam Lucore, Lauren McLain, Paul Merck, Ian Miller, Tesneem Mkhinini, Stefan Modec, Wyatt Moras, Amelia Mueller, Isabelle Murillo, Sharon Nguyen, Emerson Nieder, Amir Nuredin, Noelle Olson, Aisha Osman, Hamdi Osman, Paige Padilla, Peyton Padilla, Abbey Pelkey, Kate Pennoyer, Makayla Persaud, Jennifer Phan, Matthew Plankers, Mark Radtke, Natalie Ramcharran, Haiely Rehrauer, Michael Richmond, Ashley Ripley, Mercedez Roberts, Brian Robles, Oluwaferanmi Rotimi, Mohamud Said, Meredi Samba, Madeline Schrank, Gabriel Schurr, Amelia Schwartz, Pooja Shah, Evelina Shirokova, Alex Steffen, Ariel Stensrud, Vincent Stenzel, Nathan Taylor, Charles Thorne, Julia Tomandl, Devon Torgerson, John Tran, Zachary Triplett, Lilyan Truong, Kevin Vo, Payton Vogel, Christian Wark, Praise Waweru, Morgan Wester, Kate Wille, Miral Yahia, Faith Yang, Ethan Young, Tessa Zachmann, Emmanuel Zhagui
Bridge View, St. Paul
Distinguished graduates: Moo Gay Nay Di, Jonah Harold
Burnsville
Valedictorians
Emma Baker, Victoria Biggs, Carissa Chow, Claire Davis, Coretta Dawson, Linh Hoang, Desiree Koppi, Suhayb Mahamed, Madeline Olsen, Julia Osmolski, Hannah Rood, Kira Theng, Joshua Trussell, Matthew Trussell, Timothy Trussell
Salutatorians
Ryan Brown, Ella Schindeldecker
Centennial, Circle Pines
Lukas Andrle, Olivia Austin, Aidan Ballard, Leann Battikhi, Racquel Beck, Sydney Berens, Amelia Bjerketvedt, Ava Bruns, Tyler Celotta, Natalie Clarys, Sophia Daigle, Kylee Deluney, Riley Diebes, Elise Fenstermacher, Keaten Frase, Nora Fredrick, Marisa Frost, Ruth Gale, Bryce Giese, Allie Guyer, Katelyn Hamski, Corynn Harvieux, William Havran, Stefanie In, Sophia Johnson, Cordelia Kewatt, Samantha Lange, Emilia Lauinger, Alexander Loehr, Noah Marquard, Alaina Masica, Victoria Matteson, Georgia McManus, Josie Neibergall, Ava Nibbelink, Jacquelyn Nieno, Rudra Pandey, Jacob Podratz, Benjamin Ramacher, Spencer Renard, Nathan Roe, Alexis Sanburg, Noah Sanvick, Brooke Schmidt, Seth Semmler, Cameron Sherer, Jenna Skogen, Kaitlyn Steffel, Peyton Streit, Isaiah Theisen, Elysia Thurmes, Emilie Tran, Charles Wills, Abigail Wood
Central, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Hangatu Abdo, Anders Ahlberg, Nasrin Ahmed, Muriel Alldredge, Simon Amnuel, Lucy Anderson, Alex Bagdade, Charles Barsanti, Gustave Beaton, Caroline Belden, Satya Blons, Paw Dah Blwet, Henry Brandt, Maria Bryan, Jaya Chang, Lila Charlesworth, Sophia Choo, Henry Cordes, Nicolas Crawford-Rutherford, Genevieve Daly, Joker Danial, Keira Deiman, Lucy Dosch, Alex Dreher, Monica DuBois, Twylah Frye, Lu Garnaas, Jonah Gasho, Sam Geisler, Seth Glasser, Elias Griggs-LeRoux, Eddie Gronau, Cal Grove, Adeline Halverson, Zoe Harris, Luda Hart, Lucas Hausman, Erin Hawley, Emily Hein, Walter Heinecke, Han Hoang, Eric Holmlund, Karina Hydrie, Atticus James, Eleanor Johnson, Ezra Johnson, Greer Jones, Luke Karvonen, Holly Kessler, John King, Hannah Klubberud, Mathias Kreuziger, Evelyn Krohn, Scout Kruszka, Charlotte Kusch, Catherine Leach, Blong Lee, Ocean Lee, Summer Lee, Josephine Lin, Kaisa Lindfors, Quinn Logan, Joshua Lonstein, Sayen Lundeen-Leiva, Sadie March, Eva Mazullo, Josie McCabe, Mimi McCallum, Maryan Mohamed, Steffen Montville, Charley Moore, Cecli Mummey, Simmia Nelson, Delaney Nelson, D’Nico Newton-Barber, Nathan Nguyen, Minh Hoang Nguyen, Jaxson Nins, Twyla Paska, Sadie Peterson, Jonah Pfoser, Keyvan Pouladian-Kari, Finn Powers-Tiffin, Erika Praska, Eva Pratt, Valerie Radford, Bobby Reinhardt, Lauren Restad, Grace Robertson, Margaret Rowell, Miles Sachs, Zander Sachs, Thomas Schmutterer, Abigail Sikora, Evan Singer, Quinn Skelton, Henry Smith, Emil Soss, Sam Spencer, Pria Stauning, Lowell Stephani, Evan Strautman, Megan Subera, Finn Sutton, Naomi Tange, Ariel Thao, Kaiden Thiers, Rhys Tidwell, Harlow Tong, Beatrix Tortorello, Kate Tronstad, Margot Trout, Alisa Vang, Chloe Vasas-Anderson, Nora Voshell, Sadie Wallace, Eric Walsh, Sarah Westawker, Kieran Whelan, Evangelina Williams, Eamon Winkleman, Annie Xiong, Cheemoua Xiong, Nhiache Xiong, Jai Lia Yang, Mayson Yelk, Isabella Zambreno
Como Park, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Mason Aarness, Nasteha Abdulle, Sabirn Ahmed, Sundus Ali, Mairin Blank, Zachary Bollman, Keng Chang, Emmett Driscoll, Elise Dunne, Tristan Engelmann, Phoebe Finlay, Titius Freshwater, Frederick Gray, Oskar Helgen, Ashley Hernandez-Espitia, Micheal Huang, Aliya Hussei, Jenny Kahn, Teodora Kamenov, Daniel Klett, Samuel Koushik, Anthony Landaverde-Guillen, Xee Lee, Anna Lovat, Elliot McNally, Poe Meh, Kassakorn Mo, Sumeiya Mohamed, Asia Mohamed, Madalyn Noll, Anthony Ososki,Hser Eh Paw, Julia Pletch, Bu Reh, Angeliki Ruddy, Kai Sackreiter, Paw Gay Say, Madeleine Schilling, Garrett Seppanen, Greta Seppanen, Riya Stebleton, Ellery Tennison, William Toe, Mia Trifilette-Simons, Lisa Truong, Deion Vanh, Alice Wagner-Hemstad, Sophie Warner GoaKia Xiong, Pa Kou Yang
Concordia Academy, Roseville
August Adamsson
Parents: Jerry and Kathy Adamsson
College, major: University of Northwestern-St. Paul, engineering
Quote: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
Bradley Berwald
Parents: Brian and Sarah Berwald
College, major: Concordia University, St. Paul; nursing
Quote: “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” — Micah 7:8
Natalie Esboldt
Parents: Steven and Julia Esboldt
College, major: University of Sioux Falls, S.D.; elementary education and special education
Quote: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:17
Lauren Hill
Parents: Matt and Miriam Hill
College, major: University of Northwestern-St. Paul, art
Quote: “For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” — Ephesians 2:10
Timothy Lee
Parents: Jason Lee and Hyeyoon Lee
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, business
Quote: “Oh well, guess you lose some and win some, as long as the outcome is income, you know I want it all and then some.” – “Over My Dead Body,” Drake
Keira McCord
Parent: Rebecca McCord
College: Gustavus Adolphus College
Quote: “When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.” – “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis
Judah Neel
Parents: Jason and Sara Neel
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, business management
Quote: “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile.” — Mac Miller
Chris Nelson
Parent: Jennifer Nelson
College, major: Bethel University, biology
Quote: “Christ died for you individually just as much as if you’d been the only man in the world.” — C. S. Lewis
Sam Oelschlaeger
Parents: Amy Oelschlaeger and David Oelschlaeger
College, major: Iowa State University, civil engineering
Jonathan Rieth
Parents: Mike and Julie Rieth
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, biomedical engineering
Quote: “I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” — Michael Scott, “The Office”
Alayna Schutte
Parents: Adam and Rachel Schutte
College, major: University of Sioux Falls, S.D.; nursing
Quote: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” — Psalms 28:7
Coon Rapids
Allison Staples
Parent: Lia Staples
College, major: St. Olaf College, psychology
Amadion Flores
Parents: Leah Gibbons and Michael Gibbons
College, major: University of Minnesota, psychology on the pre-law track
Anna Langworthy
Parents: Mike and Jill Langworthy
College, major: University of Minnesota Duluth, civil engineering
Ella Noe
Parents: Dave and Joyce Noe
College, major: College of St. Scholastica, nursing
Emily Tran
Parent: Vu Tran
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, biology
Francesca Nevarez Wielenberg
Parents: Rosemary Wielenberg and Oscar Nevarez
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, neuroscience
Josephine Haag
Parent: Michael Haag
Next: Minnesota National Guard, then University of Minnesota, majoring in medical laboratory science and psychology
Madeline Metzler
Parents: Brent Metzler and Amanda Metzler
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, pre-laboratory sciences
Madelyn Jurek
Parents: Jeremiah and Melissa Jurek
College, major: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, exercise and sports science
Matthew Anderson
Parents: Pamela Anderson and Bradley Anderson
College, major: University of St. Thomas, mechanical engineering
Matthew Lewandowski
Parents: Chad Lewandowski, Denise Lewandowski
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, mechanical engineering
Matthew Rankila
Parents: Joy Rankila and Wayne Rankila
College, major: Metropolitan State University, accounting
Shyann Goldsmith
Parents: Dorothy and Stephen Goldsmith
College, major: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.; aerospace engineering
Thomas Tran
Parents: Thuyet Tran, Kim Nguyen
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, human resources and industrial relations
Tiffany Duong
Parents: Kieu Huynh, Vong Duong
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, biochemistry
Creative Arts, St. Paul
Summa cum laude: Abraham Eversman, John Geary, Amarah McGuire, Liam Schrom
Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul
Valedictorian: Michael Loeffler
Parents: Sue and Chad Loeffler
College, major: University of Denver, mechanical engineering
Salutatorian: Lucy Cornett
Parents: Jody and Roger Cornett
College, major: Boston College, economics
Ariana Awiszus
Parents: Simona Awiszus and Steve Awiszus
College, major: University of Notre Dame, neuroscience and behavior
Bridget Commers
Parents: Angela and Steven Commers
College, major: University of Notre Dame, aerospace engineering
Luke Fowler
Parents: Natalie Fowler, John Fowler
College, major: University of Notre Dame, business
Rebecca Gutzmann
Parents: Gena Gutzmann and Jeffrey Gutzmann
College, major: University of Hartford, Conn.; architecture
Regina Lopiano
Parents: Kathleen and Salvatore Lopiano
College, major: Boston College, neuroscience
Calla Massari
Parents: Andrea and Aaron Massari
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, mechanical engineering
Vincent Pham
Parents: Thuy Hoa Pham and Randy Pham
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, biomedical engineering
Olivia Reeder
Parents: Katie and David Reeder
College: Boston College
Reed Smith
Parents: Jennifer and Jeff Smith
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, finance and investment banking
Eagan
Summa cum laude
Caitlin Allred, Anushka Aravindan, Samson Axelrod, Ella Bailey, Patrick Barry, Ava Bertsch, Varshini Bomma, Jacob Braginsky, Abigayle Chapman, Nancy Cung, Samuel Dickinson, Owen Ford, Katerina Froloff, Nathan Furness, Hannah Gelineau, Eldora Grommesch, Lauren Grosz, Karli Grundhoffer, Claire Gyolai, Ryan Hanson, Molly Hed, Owen Heidtke, Henry Heinlein, Kenzo Her, Owen Hobbs, Mason Hoekenga, Hannah Huynh, Mallory Jensen, Jimena Jones, Julia Koudelka, Jack Kruger, Ethan Kurian, Jada Lapastora, Tara Le, Gwendolyn Lindahl, Liam Madigan, Jack Marsh, Omer Mitha, Ethan Nelson, Huu Nguyen, Drew Novak, Cole Pangier, Julia Pankratz, John Quick, Lorena Rysavy, Tishya Savla, William Schoenecker, Tarek Selim, Samuel Simon, Henry Stein, Laurence Stevenson, John Stokesbary, Addison Tanner, Lydia Terborg, Nicholas Tesdall, Huy Vo, Angela Wohletz, Aidan Zilge, Mary Zordoky
Magna cum laude
Lily Axelrod, Cole Barbato, Tyler Burbey, Max Buslee, Laura Casper, Michael Corbo, Lily Cordina, Kaira Cullen, Noah Damro, Jennifer Doan, Preston Dunn, Emma Fetzich, Kaitlyn Fisher, Randal Fleury, Lydia Frome, Owen Haberstroh, Ethan Hall, Hale Halvorson, Elena Holm, Victoria Hubble, Benjamin Hurwitz, Aisha Ibrahim, Rayan Irfan, Brylee Koenck-Proeung, Ishaan Koratkar, Soham Kundu, Noelle Larsen, Ella Logan, Patrick Lyne, Madeline Maack, Natalie Manley, Daniel Margosian, Elizabeth Matuszewski, Karen Miller, Edward Moore, Neel Nadella, Alex Newton, Adelyn North, Zasha Padilla, Sahir Pagey, Evelyn Pak, Dibyajyoti Panda, Brendan Peterson, Nolan Peterson, Macy Redetzke, Kelly Rollie, Jasmine Rytting, Nolan Sanouvong, Fatima Shah Din, Henry Strauss-Klein, Alexander Thome, Thuy-Sa Truong, Cassie Turner, Andrew Urueta, Olivia Varpness, Carter Veen, Olma Wakjira, Keira Waldrop, Megan Wall, Carter Will, Evan Wodele
Cum laude
Chibueze Abasiri, Adam Abbas, Canann Abraham, Zakaria Ali, Joseph Anderson, Abena Antwi, Derak Bang’o, Isabella Barrios, Morgan Becker, Bilise Benya, Tabitha Booker, Tyler Botz, Chloe Breen, Gavin Burbach, Jayla Daniels, Mark Desutter, Lucia Diaz, Nadine Frank, Madix Fulton, Ezra Gebeyehu, Jacob Gibson, Bradley Gill, Karlina Griepp, Keira Halligan, Gabrielli Hernandez, Lauren Holm, Luke Holter, Iman Ibrahim, Aidan Jaikissoon, Abigail Keuhn, Tatum Knight, Benjamin Larson, Kendra Larson, XuYing Lee, Riley Lien, Julia Madsen, Aashish Mankala, Jonah Moeller, Sherry Muthiga, Jakob Ngo, Olivia Oenning, Emmanuel Ojo, Keaton Orrey, Maria Peterson, AbdulAhad Rahman, Grayson Robbins, Taylor Schiltgen, Bailey Schmidt, Jack Schneiderhan, Annie Schoen, Annika Sorensen, Elleana Stejskal, Brady Sternberg, Trevor Syring, F Coen Utley, Sydney Vigness-Pint, Jace Willy, Noah Wolff, Ella Ziel de Cruz
East Ridge, Woodbury
Summa cum laude with distinction
Natalie Allen
College, major: University of California, Los Angeles; astrophysics
Alyssa Bai
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, computer science
Valentina Brander
College, major: Northwestern University, political science
Isabel Cao
College, major: Northwestern University, computer science
Alisha Castillo
College, major: University of North Dakota, commercial aviation and atmospheric science
Sindhu Chepuri
College, major: University of Oklahoma, biochemistry
Rahnon Chowdhury
College, major: University of California, Berkeley; electrical engineering and computer science
Hannah Crowley
College, major: Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.; chemistry
Jenna Donlon
College, major: Purdue University, biomedical engineering
Ha Minh Duong
College, major: University of Pennsylvania, business
Lucas Giebler
College major: computer science
Joshua Moon
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, computer science
Anjali Nambudiri
College, major: University of California, Los Angeles; mathematics/economics
Riley Park
College, major: Purdue University, mechanical engineering
Edward Shi
College, major: University of Michigan, kinesiology
Ryan Soenen
College, major: University of Notre Dame, engineering
Juhae Song
College, major: Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.; computer science and sociology
Caden Tebow
College, major: University of Chicago, physics
Kylie VanDeest
College, major: Purdue University, aerospace engineering
Alan Wei
College, major: University of California, Berkeley; computer science
Jihyuk Yeom
College major: engineering
Eastview, Apple Valley
Summa cum laude
Siya Agarwal, Samuel Block, Morgan Brown, Keira Burch, Michael Cherevatsky, Abby Cregan, Abigail DeMaster, Ethan Hansen, Yunny Huang, Rasin Hussain, Aver Kahar, Samuel Kenney, Elisabeth Lambert, Joven Langseth, Cecilia Lees, Reagan Mushett, Khoa Nguyen, Todd Ostler, Emily Percival, Ethan Phua, Brynn Pomroy, Rhea Saarang, Elsie Warren, Mazuki Wu, Ashley Zhu, Clare Murray
Magna cum laude
Zyaad Afifi, Ananya Alladi, Connor Barry, Aarush Bellana, Ruby Catlin, Emily Chen, Sohaan Chowdhury, Matthew Izzo, David Kagan, Megan Meinhardt, Aimen Patel, Jack Randby, Chloe Rousseau, Tanisha Senapati, Julie Zhang
Cum laude
Anirvin Iyer, Vaishnavi Nidamanuri, Grayson Osberg, Samuel Paul
Ellsworth, Wis.
Valedictorian: Jocelyn Boyle
Parents: Matthew and Christine Boyle
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Salutatorian: Kayla Kressin
Parents: Gary and Danielle Kressin
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Maria Harrington
Parents: Daniel and Sara Harrington
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lander Levers
Parents: Joseph and Lael Levers
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rebecca Dendinger
Parents: Travis and Beth Dendinger
College: University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.
Abigail Michels
Parents: Ken and Amy Michels
College: University of Iowa
Corynn Jahnke
Parents: Benjamin and Marcia Jahnke
College: University of Minnesota Rochester
Elizabeth Foster
Parents: David Foster and Karen Grewe
College: St. Olaf College
Molly Janke
Parents: Jason and Chandra Janke
College: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Addisyn Bordthauser
Parents: Lindsey Bordthauser and Jacob Reding
College: University of Minnesota Duluth
Stephanie Jennings
Parents: Michael and Kari Jennings
College: Chippewa Valley Technical College-Eau Claire
Adelaide Ries
Parents: Benjamin and Sarah Ries
College: Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Mya Hill
Parents: Charles and Amy Hill
College: University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Dayah Halverson
Parents: John and Arianne Halverson
Next: Hastings Beauty School
Farmington
Distinguished scholars
Natalie Adrian, Nicole Arens, Ava Bernatz, Roselyn Bot, Kaitlyn Bratsch, Katelyn Budde, Amaza Burggraaff, Vincent Capriglione, Madeline Cardoza, Abella Childress, Brady Christianson, Paige Cole, Avery Comes, Edon Davis, Alyssa DeWaard, Grace Donahue, Elsa Edoh, Lukas Erlenbusch, Madison Gaffaney, Ayden Gagner, Lyndsey Gallivan, Kennedy Gibbs, Katelyn Graham, Jeanette Green, Ava Hadler, Cole Han-Lindemyer, Lindsey Harrison, Abby Heilman, Logan Jansen, Chloe Johnson, Kendall Johnson, Malea Johnson, Dalton Kesti, Holly Kiecker, Kate Kragness, Sommer Krause, Nellie Larson, Ryan Le, John LeClair, Kate Lentsch, Cody Litecky, Shelby Mahowald, Olivia McMahon, Matthew Melnichuk, Emma Oden, Nathan Olson, Bailey Otto, Ava Pelzel, Jake Peterson, Mara Phillips, Elijah Ponds, Jaedyn Quimby, Katelynn Radke, Ila Reddy, Morgan Richter, Isaac Ross, Madeline Ross, Emma Schabert, Nolan Schultz, Jeremiah Seehusen, Fouad Sherkawi, Ashley Steffes, Hunter Stone, Emily Straub, Megan Student, Mason Sullivan, Tyler Thill, Maya Tracey, Tyler Udell, Debbie Vait, Sophia Voegel, Charles Wagner, Kailey Watson, Meredith Ziegler, Emma Zimmerman
Gateway to College, St. Paul
Distinguished graduates: Alexa Chino Sanchez, Eduardo Fuentes-Garcia, Rogina Hadi, Alisia Mauricio
Grantsburg, Wis.
Angel Anderson, Sophia Anderson, Lillian Bongaarts, Evangeline Covey, Lucy Dahlberg, Maxwell Dauer, Adam Doskey, Jessi Doskocila, Aden Erickson, Trista Goepfert, Sidney Gronski, Kelsey Handy, Madison Hanson, Amaya Henderson, Piper Hicks, Carter Luke, Mitchell Meyer, Alexander Peterson, Connor Quimby, Joseph Quintana, Zachary Rombach, Megan Schafer, Samuel Spafford, Ana Sofia Trick, Vincent Vogland, Ian Watt, Ciara Wesenberg, Greta White
Harding, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Isabelle Gutierrez, Devin Yurkovich, Kanag Xiong, Joseph Soe, Cynthia Dang, Pearl Xiong, Elijah Arnett, Beauty Yang, Hector Perez Hernandez, Rashonna Harper, Lance Vang, Yesenia Vidalez Galindo, Eli Xiong, Naidelin Manriquez Ramirez, Angie Thao, Cypress Lee, Gaoger Moua, Angelina Vang, Adrianna Yang, Hailey Ly, Shawfeng Xiong, Xue Yang, Francis Mensah, Tanner Rouillard-Horne, Sarfah Souriyavong, Nkaujhmong Vue, Eh Shu, Amie Tran, Tha Zin Mon, Kulue Vue, Elizabeth Vang, Shoua Yang, Pazee Lee, Izzy Thao, Alydia Xiong, Kalena Xiong, Elizabeth Yang, Kong Lee, Sunshine Vang, Grant Rouillard-Horne, Kayle Yang, Khong Kue Yang, Adrian Chavez, Adrien Cuellar-Cortez, Kenji Lee, Youpheng Lor, Angela Yang, La’Zaya Lindsey, Tyler English
Hastings
Top 10%
Jackelyn Anderson, Emma Bakker, Gabriella Bushinski, Michael Davis, Emily Dembroski, Madison Deutsch, Autumn Diersen, Lilyana Doffing, Natalie Duerkop, Abigail Englin, Bryce Gentle, Eva Greene, Madyn Hanson, Brooke Hiller, Ava Hoffman, Mara Jackson, Brooke Jelley, Lauren Jenkins, Claire Keller, Daniel Kiral, Lily Kummer, Anthony Lau, Charles Makowske, Gabriela McDowell, Rhyen Miska, Maya Norgaard, Rhyen Miska, Maya Norgaard, Camden Oehme, Jameson Price, Julia Ronning, Ruby Rotty, Mikayla Schuster, Ashtyn Stewart, Benjamin Thome, Liliana Thurmes, Brooke Townsend, Vincent Vieth
Highland Park, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Lilah Abraham, Ella Alden Pope, Elizabeth Alene, Angelica Amador, Oscar Andestic, Erin Armstrong, Ava Arredondo, Andrew Bacigalupi, Willa Berg, Finnegan Black, Samantha Boss, Nora Branstner, Anna Brock, Brouke Brookins, Alec Buchanan, Samuel Cocchiarella, Antonio Contreras, Piper Crosby, Elodie Cummins, Peter Douma, Andrew Endres, Jillian Evans, Jack Frohnauer, Annika Getz, Charles Goldman, Greta Goodspeed, Arija Greenseid, Karl Haaland, Roland Hagedorn, Maria Hamlin, Molly Hanley, Claudia Hanson, Britreyunna Harper, Quinn Harvey, Hiba Hussein, Gabriella Ishaq, Owen Jahn, Ella Johnson, Stephanie Jones, Anna Jones, Katherine Kaatz, Dina Kaufman, Olivia Kendle, Eleanor Kristiansson, Kieran Kristjanson, Bijou Kruszka, Elsa Larson, Abigail Lawton, Mitali Mangal, Ellery Merriam, Elliot Miller, Hanifa Mohamednoor, Bethlehem Negash, Richard Nguyen, Wesley Norquist, Aggy Ongaki, Evelyn Osborn, Hayat Osman, Aurelia Parranto, Sophia Paske, Isabella Pfankuch, Charles Pickart, William Pinto, Evadne Pond, Eleanor Pundsack, Rose Ramadan, Kate Regan, Katherine Reubish, Celia Robertson, Nuria Rodriguez-Foster, Ci Alexandra Roepke, Angel Ruiz Mora, Subeir Said, Lucia Samayoa, Samuel Schlukebier, Samuel Schmitt, Luna Scorzelli, Kismet Shinde, Wyatt Shirley, Julia Sikorski Roehsner, Brooke Sinykin, Louis Sloot, Muriel Smith, Nils Smith, Audrey Snowbeck, Ellery Spector, Lillian St Dennis, Gabriela St John-Hernandez, Elliott Thatcher, Ella Tjaden, Drew Toutant, Emily Tran, Timothy Tzeutschler, Phlower Vang, Zora Vorhes, Macartney Walker, Xavier Wambach, William Warner, Benjamin Waud, Reagan Welch, Theresa Williams, Alexander Sasha Winnett, Natillie Xiong, Rose Xiong, Alaina Zugay, Marika Zullino, Boden Zwank
Hill-Murray, Maplewood
Peter Basso, Lucy Blaney, Charles Breien, Rachel Clark, Jacob Dinzeo, Caitlin Gaumond, Sophia Greene, Alexander Gross, Allison Hauser, Jiahui Hu, Claire Huss, Gabriella Joseph, Marykatherine Kolb, Lauren Lobanoff, Ava Maas, Austin Mjanger, Taylor Petrich, Lindsey Phelan, Mia Rich, Mason Ries, Eric Ross, Andrew Schoenecker, Tanner Thoms, Benjamin Tousignant, Jiahui Zhan
Hmong College Prep Academy, St. Paul
Lai Chang
Parent: Mai Yang
College, major: St. John’s University, computer science
Quote: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” — 1 Peter 4:9
Taykn Chang
Parent: Julie Thao
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, computer science
Quote: “Insecurity starts within.”
Dayana Hernandez-Flores
Parent: Maria Flores-Reyes
College, major: University of Wisconsin-River Falls, echocardiography
Quote: “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
Hideaki Lee
Parents: Payeng Lee and Shinbei Lee
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, finance and accounting
Quote: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
Serenity Siong
Parents: Rev. Dr. William Siong and Dr. Chue Siong
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, elementary education
Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
Nadine Thao
Parent: Chongyang Thao
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, computer science
Quote: “Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?”
Brian Vang
Parent: Mai Yang
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities; biology and neuroscience, pre-med
Quote: “Life may be hard now, but trust me, it will all be so worth it in the end.” — Mom (one of my biggest motivators)
Laly Vang
Parent: Sally Vang
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, mechanical engineering
Nida Vang
Parent: Na Xiong
College, major: St. Catherine University, sonography
Touyengkong Yang
Parent: Houa Vang
Hudson
Graham Close, Jack Keller, Cora Hofstedt, Grace Jones, Karsten Opatz, Ian Ristad, Sarah Davis, Gabriella Cesena, Ripley Balusek, Allison Jones, Hope Pedersen, James Quiney, Kaitlyn Wright, Olivia Grothaus, Alexander Halama, Alia Cherry, Emily Olson, James Macmenamin, Laura Mahowald, Grace Mears, Lillian Campbell, Ethan Eilertson, Thaddeus Johnson, Ella Carstensen, Kadyn Berg
Humboldt, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Hawa Abdella, Kowsar Ahmed, Mimi Aung, Stephanie Buse, Betsabe Gonzalez, Blue Htoo, Samo Lay, Arianna Lo, Ree Ma, Thiri Ma, Twar Meh, Biftu Mohammed, Ti Reh, Zoa Royalty, Paw Say, Saw Ku Gay Shu, Po Si Si, Winner Soe, Christina Yang
Irondale, New Brighton
Highest honors
Sabri Abdusalam, Nawal Ahmed, Maya Al-Yasin, Nicholas Anderson, Alexandra Birken, Samuel Brandt, Nicholas Brogdon, Tenzin Chemi, Daniella Daire, Xander Daire, Mary Jane Ejiofor, Anas Enanaa, Elijah Englund, Wyatt Erwin, Maxwell Frankson, Lillian Grommes, Ella Hanus, Ethan Hemenway, Keegan Heyl, Caleb Hill, Natalie Jansen, Erin Jensen, Seven Kemptar, Zayd Khandwalla, Emily Laizans, Sylvie Marion, Abigail McNeil, Elliot Mevissen, Aaron Muenzner, Maxwell Nelson, Jasmine Alyssa Nimis, Mia Nordberg, Gavin Nordstrom, Andrew Paetznick, Anna Presseller, Bridget Robertson, Roshan Nicholas Rochus John, Sadie Rodgers, Ryan Romes, Michael Santiago, Caroline Scheid, Jimena Sichiqui, Siri Stolen, Emma Supina, Kelly Tekautz, Zoey Tenenbaum, Austin Tranowski, Reesa Venterea, Sarah Wang, Mourya Yandra, Hannah Young, Edward Yu, Andy Zheng
Johnson, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Jackson Cox, Jolie Davis, Carina Dieringer, Ler Pray Doh, Jennifer Herrera-Cavazos, Esra Ismail, Mae Kersten, Tsimmuaj Lee, Conner Lee, Chue Seng Lor, Jacqyra, Lovejoy, Kathy Moua, Bennett Nguyen Prowell, Joaquin Ochocki, Emira Saleh, Cintsaiab Shiong, Brianna Smith, Kong Feng Thao, Ruth Thaw Gyi, Kalwin Vang, Geneva Vang, Nom Lauj Vue, Sakura Vue, Sarah Wang, Soua Xiong
Lakeville North
Summa cum laude
Riley Alger, Sydney Anderson, Brodi Archdale, Tyler Arneson, Arianna Balgobin, Samuel Bejar, August Benning, Isaac Blommel, Henry Bradbury, Anna Branchini, Nora Brandt, Tyler Christianson, Kiona Crawford, Lauren Croke, Michael Davenport, Marina Deutsch, Charles De Genaro, Summer Downward, Matthew Drake, Osayemwenre Edomwonyi, Amenah Eldomiatti, Ellyn Engels, Aidan Erickson, Bridget Fisk, Ethan Flom, Tiana Forsberg, Connor Frame, Kylie Glassen, Jace Hafner, Leah Hahs, Alex Hall, Anna Hauer, Matthew Heggen, Jason Henry, Emma Hoffacker, Caityln Holl, McKenna Hultgren, Sumaya Hussein, Mason Jech, Aliya Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Kaden Kandler, Aaimah Khawaja, Connor Kitzmann, Peyton Knock Swanson, Abigail Koening, Claire Koznick, Cooper Krance, Kate Kremer, Andrew Kugler, Joseph Lackmann, Greta Lauer, Isabella Leonetti, Madison McMurdie, Antonio Menard, Sophia Mikkelson, Sara Morton, Charese Mutebi, Keane Naughton, Amelia Nerison, Louise Nguyen, Nicholas Nguyen, Anna Ohlson, Maxwell Olson, Madison Orth, Carter Pade, Mason Pade, Claire Peterson, Cole Peterson, Gavin Phillips, Alexis Plambeck, Quinn Power, Ella Raiche, Justin Rehborg, Samuel Russeth, Jasmine Sadek, Tessa Sauder, Anthony Scheglowski, Bryan Schlauderaff, Calvin Schmelzle, Calan Schuldt, Liberty Schultz, Austin Siefken, Garrett Siefken, Ryan Stacey, Ava Stockinger, Ian Stram, Kate Swierczek, Jack Timm, Anna Tomas, Taylor Tronnes, Varsha Venkatesh Gorur, Joseph Wambolt, Aidan Weber, Zachary Zeien, Kilian Zenner
Lakeville South
Summa cum laude
Hadi Ahmad, Michael Anderson, Nathan Barnes, Lydia Benson, Briana Biehn, Lucas Bishop, Emma Bornfleth, Gage Boushee, Oliver Boyd, Spencer Brennan, Henry Caswell, Alec Chamberlain, Isaac Cin, Brandon Clark, Mia DeCaluwe, Julia Differding, Sierra Doll, Jaydon Donely, Allison Drake, Halle Eastling, Jake Ebersole, Ariana Edgar, Wyatt English, Thatcher Enneking, Stella Evenson, Sophie Fields, Grady Formaneck, Ella Fowler, Daphne Fox, Anna Goodman, Jeffrey Grotenhuis, Kaylee Hafermann, Noah Harnack, Charlie Hayes, Isabelle Hentges, Eiji Hofmann, Sofia Honda, Ella Hudson, Sophie Hurst, Cydney Hutterer, Iris Jimenez, Isabella Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Owen Johnson, Samuel Johnson, Evan Kasal, Annabelle King, Connor King, Nicholas Kulig, Max Larson, Emma Lehmann, Nicholas Lehmann, Joseph Lucey, Theresa Lynch, Nathalee Magana, Sierra Man, Macie Marrinan, Nicole McKinney, Edgar Mera Delacruz, Madelynn Miller, Mallory Misurek, Annisa Nguyen, Ava Nielson, Ryder O’Brien, Caidyn O’Connor, Braden O’Malley, Brynn O’Neill, Jovie Ordal, Kylie Page, Sophia Pavek, Avery Peterson, Cody Powell, Ivy Rahn, Emma Remington, Natalie Revak, Daisy Reyes, Maggie Rief, Josie Ruhland, Jaden Rust, Kaeli Sterling, Jane Stiers, Ashley Sutton, Evan Taggart, Jack Timm, Victoria Tschida, Paige Wagner, Derek Welter, Isabelle Wigton, Porter Woodson, Logan Worrell, Isaak Zimmerman
LEAP, St. Paul
Distinguished graduates: Marcos Chacon Villeda, Daniela Guillen Portillo, Abdiqani Omar, Erick Santamaria Santos, Cristian Guillen Portillo, Rony Soriano Rivera, Kouanai Vang
Liberty Classical Academy, White Bear Lake
Valedictorian: Samuel Samuels
Parents: Patrick and Ida Samuels
College: Century College
Salutatorian: Andrew Imm
Parents: Christopher and Hilary Imm
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Stout, applied science/pre-chiropractic
Mahtomedi
Jack Allaben, Fatimah Bah, Adele Bodensteiner, Caroline Burge, Evelyn Cegielski, Aradhna Chandra, Zoe Coler, Ella Daniels, Ishana Didwania, Sophia Duwenhoegger, Patrick Egan, Claire Faulkner, Mary Kate Grilz, Hannah Johnson, Frances Kastler, Calista Kurr, Katherine Lengyel, Lexi McKusick, Annika Meyer, Griffin Mitchell, Lauren Mitchell, Sam Rathmanner, Teri Schifsky, Olivia See, Tea Tuttle, Gabe Vik, Anna Wisniewski, Nikki Wuori
Math and Science Academy, Woodbury
Wiktoria Bizon
Parents: Agnieszka and Krzysztof Bizon
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, human resources and industrial relations
Quote: “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn
Samuel Ellingson
Parents: Dan and Alissa Ellingson
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, biomedical engineering
Quote: “The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs … one step at a time.” — Joe Girard
Srikara Vishnubhatla
Parents: Krishna and Padmaja Vishnubhatla
College: Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
Quote: “The road to success is always under construction.” — Lily Tomlin
Bhanu Kousik Kankanala
Parents: Suneetha Kankanala and Chakrapani Kankanala
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, computer engineering
Quote: “The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” — Denis Waitley
Iman Bedru
Parents: Bedru Fetto and Mawerdi Mussa
College, major: Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.; computer science
Quote: “The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability. Anyone can be anything. You can be everything.” — Han Jisung
Maria Makarova
Parents: Konstantin Makarov and Olga Savva
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities; genetics, cell biology and development
Quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis
Curtis Craig
Parents: Katie Craig, Jason Craig
College, major: Webb Institute, Glen Cove, N.Y.; naval architecture and marine engineering
Quote: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” — Hebrews 6:19
Ancele Dolensek
Parents: Sarah Kerr, Ryan Dolensek
College, major: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.; electrical and computer engineering
Quote: “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.” — Yogi Berra
Allison O’Leary
Parents: Anna O’Leary, Nathan O’Leary
College, major: Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.; nursing
Quote: “No excuses. Just do the work.” — Shalane Flanagan
Tennyson Shultz
Parents: Melissa Shultz, Taylor Shultz
College: Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa
Quote: “Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” — Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Mounds Park Academy, Maplewood
Maya Alexa, Zain Ali, Bella Baker, Margaret Banks-Hehenberger, Devneet Biring, Vittorio Bloyer, Amina Brewer, Zephyr Bulera, Meiran Carlson, Elise DeBruzzi, Eilam Deinard, Jadyn Delgado, Anastasios Dimopoulos, Leo Eakin, Salma Egal, Isabel Espinosa Splichalova, Ian Frankel, Oliver Frey, Justin Galarza Gonzalez, Jay Green, Maxwell Gruen, Greta Hanson, Sylvia Hawley, Micah Hudock, Khushi Jain, Meera Jain, Aixa Kellermann, Adeline Kluz, Annika Krause, Alexander Krueger, Else Kunze-Hoeg, Yongwook Lee, Jacob Leier, Xinyuan Li, Trevor Lien, Abdur-Rahman Lodhi, Logan Miller, Benjamin Murr, Miles Niemeyer, Sonia Olk, Nora Pederson, Jager Perez, Soumya Raman, Briana Rist, Lily Rogers, Hunter Scheible, Akshay Somayajula, Julia Rose Sonka, David Steinberger, Ling Stewart, Teagan Swanson, Soma Takagi, Andrew Taylor, Molly Vergin, Evan Wallraff, Noah Wilgocki, Bryan Wong, Pahwa Yang, NayMyo Zaw, Finn Zeruhn, Parker Ziegler
Mounds View, Arden Hills
Highest honors
Ellen Guo, Michael Wang, Annabelle Huang, Zali Akiba, Daniel Sung, Siri Wilkes, Mabel Chen, Kylie Yu, Maeve Edgar, Brian Kim, Victor Cai, Angela Liang, Jerome Floeder, Yewon Park, Laura Hansen, Sophia Ohmann, Daniela Senanayake, Allison Yu, Robin Kim, Philip Jepko, Benjamin Wasson, Chad Diao, Sreya Subramanian, Christine Yim, Maya Arnold, Xinyue Wang, Suhaib Aden, Bhuvi Jain, Katherine Schneider, Cayden Stoner, Maya Gjelhaug, Daniel Shin, Ethan Zhao, Mathias McGinnis, Andrew Hermes, Olivia Schardin, Rory Warden, Brandon Luna Sanchez, Selina Wang, Echo Zhai, Amrita Rajesh, Fardis Malik, Matthew Higley, Aarush Singh, Lukas Hoyt, Anya Stupar, Louis Cook, August McDonald, Tingchung Chang, Yunru Chen, Sorelle Tan, Britta Bramsen, Molly Strike, Yusuf Ali, Christian Forbes, Amelia Gregory, Erika Turkington, Benjamin Starr, Elizabeth Xiao, Owen Lee, Cormac McSherry, Theodore Gafencu, Ronald Xu, Jamie Nick, Sabrina Duden, Ella Westerman, Max Huberty, Kevin Zhang, Mary Seymour, Hayden Sperbeck, Sebastian Hartzell, Audrey Zhao, Claire Sabby, Lale Baylar, Isabella Myrland, Miles Smith, Noah Hammett-Divine, Kylie Murray, Riley Maurer, Emily Schnarr, Kyra Marshall, Isaac Ramel, Mikayla Schultz, Joseph Bryntesen, Ruotong Ma, Levi Hammerbeck, Gabrielle Bullert, Joyce Tsai, Renee Defeyter, Natalie Simms, Magnolia Taylor, Zoke Sackih, Sophia Loegering, Maya Surve, Gabriel Lundgren, Noelle Buckley, Spencer Sweeney, Ella Xu, Bryce Breen, Sarah Kolasa, Elizabeth Simons, Hridaya Ghosh, William Overbo, Aubrie Jarvi, Gabriel O’Neil, Sean Peterson, Ayah Sumrain, Henry Ewald, Anna Diffley, Gabrielle Nead, Madeline Nagel, Tanner Vandeberg, David Shields, Daniel Koch, Megan Jaros, Phoebe Hoyt, Elena Miller, Thomas Shields, Pearl Awad, Jenna Stobbe, Micaela Ledesma, Anna Deane, Logan Kirk, Abigail Nelson, Sungjoon Anderson, Charles Kelly, Wesley Dolton, Kayla Horsch, Mehg Coline Solamillo, Christopher Then, Emmanuel Reilly, Alexander Bi, Jonathan Bowler, Sana Ahmed, Madelynn Cook, Elias Hagfors, McKenna Karel, Amelia Kneer, Ella Loushin, Eva Manrodt, Brady Officer, Nicolas Thao, Luke Van Oort
New Life Academy, Woodbury
Valedictorian: Anja Placzek
Parents: Tammy and Steve Placzek
College: University of Minnesota Duluth
Quote: “May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.” — Gandalf, “The Hobbit,” J.R.R. Tolkien
Salutatorian: Suzanne White
Parents: Gretchen White and Jeff White
College, major: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, biology
Quote: “Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change — and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.” – “Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus
North, North St. Paul
Alara Yener, Jaileah Yang, Annika Hagberg, Madeline Peterson, Gianna Foster, Tyler Lor, Jenna Brown, Ashley Yang, Abigail George, Hanna McGuire, Vivian Le, Stephanie Zamora, Lauren Collins, Kimaily Yang, Rachel Collins, Joseph Rychlicki, Gissell Gabarrete Lopez, Austin Deegan, Gabriel Roers, Dela Dumenya, Natalie Morrison, Cosette Mua, Nathania Pilares, Julie Xiong, Mistura Tiamiyu, Emily Vue, Jasper Tun, Danielle Alderson, Samuel Tamang, Vivian Roers, Isabella Lamb, Hung Van, Khaiyu Yang, Daniel Beardsley, CeCee Warner
Open World Learning Community, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Willa Campion, Tess Campion, Nora Crosby, Elena Davis, Theodore Dobbins, Avery Erb, Jaielle Galbreath, Anja Gundale, Mae Heeringa, Maria Imholte, Beatrice Lloyd, Annika Lofgren, Anna Nowatzki, Cooper Peterson Antin, Oliver Plaman, Raina Rossell, Jonas Ruberg, Elijah Stende, Mintesinot Sturm, Endale Witt, Violet Wright, Hazel Wright
Osceola, Wis.
Summa cum laude
Gavin Almlie, Ellie Carlson, Sonja Carlson, Deryn Coppernoll, Adelyn Ellefson, Ethan Hall, Cooper Hennemann, Ava Irlbeck, Merrianna Johnson, Kaylynn Koester, Miles Leiskau, Britta Manni, Sean Michel, Ella Nelson, Gabrielle Neumann, Georjeanna Osterbauer, Alexis Peckman, Olivia See, Olivia Spiegel, Emma Stroshane, Blake Terpstra, Amin Addison Uddin, Mason Utke, Trinity White-Folstad, Jacyndah Yang
Park, Cottage Grove
Afton LeMay
Parents: Gary LeMay and Joanna LeMay
University of Minnesota Duluth
College, major: Undecided, criminology
Quote: “Failing at something is the best way to learn what it takes to succeed at it.” — Summer Sanders, Olympic swimmer
Amber Norgaard
Parents: Jennifer and Eric Norgaard
College, major: University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.; biochemistry
Quote: “Just keep swimming.” — Dory, “Finding Nemo”
Jamy Randrup
Parents: Joby and Amy Randrup
College, major: Gustavus Adolphus College, political science on a pre-law track
Quote: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” — Amy Randrup
Macey Kaufenberg
Parents: Scott and Lisa Kaufenberg
College, major: University of Northwestern-St. Paul, music and ministry
Quote: “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So … get on your way.” – “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!,” Dr. Seuss
Mason Darling
Parents: Brian and Holly Darling
College, major: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Mo.; nuclear engineering
Quote: “Work hard in silence and let your success tell your story.”
Rebecca Etten
Parents: Mike and Toni Etten
College, major: Michigan Technological University, Houghton; engineering management
Quote: “If you can’t beat your fear, do it scared.” — Glennon Doyle Melton
Victoria Stepka
Parents: Jana and Jeremy Stepka
College, major: University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.; biology on pre-med track
Quote: “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” — Michael Jordan
Gordon Parks, St. Paul
Distinguished graduates: Ronnyia Chess, Aiyanah Myatt
Randolph
Valedictorian: Kaitlyn VanDeSteeg
Parents: Tony and Heidi VanDeSteeg
College, major: St. Catherine University, radiology
Quote: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” — Colin Powell
Salutatorian: Jocelyn Zingler
Parents: Jennifer and Travis Zingler
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, business marketing
Quote: “I am who I am today, because of the choices I made yesterday.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Rosemount
Summa cum laude
Julia Alex, Benjamin Baker, Lauren Begich, Alease Bertrand, Katherine Buesing, Sophia Byersdorfer, Molly Carrico, Abigail Chumbley, Lilian Dahlheimer, Summer Davis, Caleb Dusek, Kadrin Dwyer, Emma Ebeling, Jordan Eide, Alexa Erzar, Ryan Erzar, Ryan Etheridge, Riley Fox, Ellie Gordon, Cassandra Gospodarek, Lila Greenfield, Ty Hansen, Cecilia Hanson, Norah Haque, Abigail Hartwig, Brayden Herzberg, Annabel Hess, Gabrielle Hoover, William Hoover, Emily Hopke, Ethan Johnson, Ethan Joseph, Ava Karl, Adonias Ketema, Yayra Kpetsu, Megan Kromschroeder, Madison Krulich, Mae Leppones, Colby Liebaert, Bridget McNeary, Hanna Meyer, Kayley Meznarich, Anisha Mullin, Tri Nguyen, Grace Nosan, Finn Nowlin, Hailey Palmer, Matthew Pasillas, Katherine Reed, Lilly Rindahl, Clara Romereim, Amelia Ross, Patrick Schilling, Hannah Schwartz, Isabelle Scinocca, Amelia Sell, Claire Sewpersaud, Arnav Shiri, Raunit Singh, Benjamin Siwek, Noah Skaria, Sawyer Smith, Hanna Sunsdahl, Ashley Swenson, Debora Tadese, Adler Tyburski, Ryan Wahl, Anna Zimmer
Roseville Area
Top 1 percent
Andrew Barnes
Parents: Anne and Michael Barnes
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Quote: “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien
Amy Dang
Parents: Philong Dang, Khanh Dang
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Quote: “Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success.” — John Hayes Hammond
Ataa-Adjetey Mensah
Parents: Besiwa Mensah, Sowah Mensah
College: Macalester College
Quote: “To stand up straight with your shoulders back is to accept the terrible responsibility of life, with eyes wide open. It means deciding to voluntarily transform the chaos of potential into the realities of habitable order.” — “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos,” Jordan Peterson
Amelie Nickel
Parents: Jing-Jing and Jay Nickel
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Quote: “I love the word ‘fail.’ Failure is human destiny. Failure teaches us that life is but a draft, a long rehearsal for a show that will never play.” — Hipolito, “Amelie”
Evelyn Sagor
Parents: Amy Kay Kerber and Eli Sagor
College: McGill University, Montreal
Quote: “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.” — Michelle Obama
Lucia Sundberg
Parents: Matthew and Carrie Sundberg
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Quote: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” — Andy Bernard, “The Office”
Lily Viskoe
Parents: Rhonda and Dan Viskoe
College: University of San Francisco
Quote: “There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” — Toni Morrison
Lilyana Wood
Parents: Kim and Steve Wood
College: University of Minnesota Duluth
Quote: “Well, that’s the good part I guess. You get to find a new dream.” — Flynn Rider, “Tangled”
Rush City
Charlise Anderson, Owen Anderson, Kyle Armstrong, Kyleigh Bell, Hailea Bendickson, Nathan Bendickson, Lydia Bengtson, Troy Berg, Maria Biermaier, Joseph Bjorklund, Christine Camarines, Nicholas Carlson, Clint Chambers, Sophia Corbin, Owen Dick, Kayla Diedrich, Lily Drietz, Gavin Duchene, Faith Eggersgluess, Brayden Ekstedt, Mikayla Ertz, Ella Ferrie, Taylor Finley, Garland Gibbs, Cole Glenna, Lucas Golon, Kellen Gorman, Wade Guillaume, Joshua Guptill, Thomas Hahn, Trenten Halls, Haylee Hanna, Annabelle Hanson, Kaylee Johnson, Trevor Jordan, Colton Kane, Grant Kuehl, Tanner Logan, Taylor Martin, Hannah Mechtel, Kaylee Meyer, Nandi Muller, Avery Nelson, Summer Nelson, Ava Nichols, Charlie Nihart, Robert Novick, Eldon Olson, Madison Perreault, Amanda Piatz, Parker Pillar, Hunter Riemenschneider, Braeden Rood, Cora Sayotovich, Samantha Schlavin, Dakoda Schmidt, Madison Schmidt, Adrianna Schroeder, Gavin Schultz, Dylan Schuno, Marshall Seitz, Haley Stavig, Nolan Stepp, Landon Utecht, Gabriel Widenstrom, Bailey Witte
St. Agnes, St. Paul
Monica LeVesseur
Parents: Wallace and Pamela LeVesseur
College, major: University of St. Thomas, Catholic studies
Quote: “The past is no longer yours; the future is not yet in your power. You have only the present wherein to do good.” — St. Alphonsus Liguori
Myles Kobbermann
Parents: Cyril and Kathleen Kobbermann
Next: Discerning priesthood
Quote: “Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
Joshua Walter
Parents: Gwyn and Brian Walter
College, major: North Dakota State University, engineering
Quote: “To live without faith, without a heritage to defend, without battling constantly for truth, is not to live but to ‘get along’; we must never just get along.” — Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Helena Derosier
Parents: Stephen and Carina Derosier
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, biochemistry/pre-med
Quote: “Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest on reciprocity.” — C. S. Lewis.
Shayla Le
Parents: Tri and Julie Le
College, major: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, biology
Quote: “I prefer you make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
Andy Yang
Parents: Nyiasean Yang and Houa Lee
College, major: Carleton College, biology and philosophy on a pre-med track
Quote: “Here is a commandment for you: seek happiness in sorrow.” – “Brothers Karamazov,” Fyodor Dostoevsky
Micah Lehnen
Parents: Randy and Jennifer Lehnen
College, major: University of St. Thomas, philosophy
Quote: “Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since full, true freedom is born from holiness.” — Pope John Paul II
Betanya Fida
Parent: Abera Gebremariam and Temernesh Yesuf
College, major: University of Southern California, design
Quote: “When are we going to understand that we are put on this Earth to love, that’s all it’s about.” — Kendrick Lamar
Eileen Dobie
Parents: Brian and Jill Dobie
College: Benedictine College, Atchison, Kan.
Quote: “It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.” — Pope John Paul II
Elizabeth Williams
Parents: Jennifer and Byron Williams
College, major: University of St. Thomas, Catholic studies
Quote: “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.” — St. Giana Molla
St. Anthony Village
Fiona Barquero Raivo, Campbell Botts, Cameron Burns, Ava Busch Manske, Emma Campoverde, Bryn Cannon, Linnea Cary, Isabella Cassidy, Jameson Chaput, Erika Dierke, Dominic Dunn, Henry Henjum, Annie Juncal Rodriguez, Stella Kiemele, Henry Kling, Philip Kram, Neve Mantras, Benjamin Matre, Sophia Moracco, Hans Otte, Meghan Przybilla, Berit Rosenstiel, Kristen Townsend, Cooper Van Buren, Jackson Walbridge, Tate Wiese, Gavin Zwiefelhofer
St. Croix Central, Hammond, Wis.
Summa cum laude: Faith Bonse, Maximum Etzler, Olivia Gordon, Ellen Hansen, Emily Kobilka, Alexander LaPean, Sophia Madlung, Lucille Mansell, Payton Merth, Brody Peissig, Isabelle Sabelko, Christian Tritz, Muakong Yang
Magna cum laude: Reese Heebink, Teague Holzer, Sidnie Roshell
Cum laude: Savannah Briese, Harper DuMond, Lillyan Hansen, Kendall Sundby
St. Croix Falls, Wis.
Valedictorians
Aliana Smith
Parents: Steven and Darlene Smith
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biology
Alexandra Lehman
Parents: Jared and Rebecca Lehman
College, major: University of Northwestern-St. Paul, integrated biology/business
Loganne Marks
Parents: Bryan and Heidi Marks
College, major: Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis.; nursing
Morgan Marks
Parents: Bryan and Heidi Marks
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, biology/genetics
Ayla Schmidt
Parents: Chris and Sarah Schmidt
College, major: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, integrated biology/business
Ella Stenberg
Parents: Steven and Rebecca Stenberg
College, major: University of St. Thomas, psychology
Salutatorian
Peyton Park
Parents: Matthew and Danielle Park
College, major: University of Minnesota-Duluth, business/finance
Honor students
Lucy Belisle, Evelyn Gutierrez, Taryn Gaffey, Brianna Lee, Ashlin Waltz, Kelita Nwachukwu, Amelia Svardahl, Brooklin Hoverman, Chase Lessard, Kacy Johnson, Kelsey Cooper, Aydin Koenig, Kellen Kelly, Yezibel Stepp, Josephine Sawicki, Logan Fangmeier, Sebastian Reed, John Bateman, Paige Haaf, Eli Prokop, Emily McManus, Aiden Meador, Kenneth Miner, Lucas Lunsman, Selah Greenquist, Kale Borchert, Mason Nusberger, Rylee Williamson, Kasey Johnson, Cole Steffen, Trey Anderson, Lilly Root, James Carter, Jocelyn Tate
St. Croix Lutheran Academy, West St. Paul
Andrew Beekman
Parents: Marvin and Kathleen Beekman
College: Dordt University; Sioux Center, Iowa
Isaac Biehn
Parents: Jeffrey and Jessica Biehn
College: Inver Hills Community College
Elias Blumer
Parents: Ben and Carrie Blumer
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Katie Brozynski
Parents: Chris and Heather Brozynski
College: The Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga.
Owen Burkart
Parents: Jonathan and Kelly Burkart
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Georgia Dickson
Parents: Brent and Jennifer Dickson
College: College of St. Scholastica, Duluth
Grace Doering
Parents: Jon and Amy Doering
College: Iowa State University; Ames, Iowa
Laura Hauge
Parents: Thomas and Carla Hauge
College: University of St. Thomas
Quan Hoang
Parents: Tue and Mai Hoang
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Hye-Rynn Jeong
Parents: Jaeseung Jeong and Junghyun Jo
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tabitha Johnson
Parents: Sheldon and Lura Johnson
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Silas Krueger
Parents: Brian and Kristin Krueger
Marco Moreira Da Rocha Rodrigues
Parents: Antonio Rodrigues and Mariana Moreira Da Rocha
Next: school in Brazil
Hanna Myrlie
Parent: Jason Myrlie
College: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Maximilian Noe
Parents: Travis and Stephanie Noe
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Will Olson
Parents: Benjamin and Sara Olson
College: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Alex Rosin
Parents: Adam and Sara Rosin
College: University of Iowa, Iowa City
Eli Schneider
Parents: Daniel and Kim Schneider
College: University of Arizona, Tucson
SeEun Sohn
Parent: Jiyoung Lee
College: Michigan State University, East Lansing
Delia Walters
Parents: Daniel and Elizabeth Walters
College: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists
By GPA
Luci Aslakson, Marley Burrowes, Sibella Leeling, Maxwell Weston, Ava Larson, Ben Peterson, Ruby Mesas, Stella Pihlstrom, Luke Jeschke, Kamarah Maynard, Charlie Peterson, Owen Gilman, Arayah Maynard, Irene Weinhagen, Lily Giblin, Sophia Islam, Jules Wallinga, Jo Nassif, Michelle Cool, Ella Ashford
St. Paul Public Schools Online
Distinguished graduates: Louis Manders, Donna Moreno, Tania Pliego-Lopez, Lauren Stamps, George Vang, Xander Wheatley, Isabella Xiong
St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights
Summa cum laude
Nathan Aamodt, Maxwell MapelLentz, Jackson Najarian, Max Anderson, Chihuu Nguyen, Matthew Marvin, August Tennessen, Marcus Ugo Adarve, Liam Carey, Dominic Castro, Sean Happe, Jack Lewin, Daven Sancho Figueroa, Michael Stavseth, Caleb Ling, Avery Millican, Augustus Mahler, Lukas Markert, Declan Wilson, Benjamin Cardwell, Robert Wollan Jr., James Zavoral III, Jack Gorden, Charles Meyer, Graham Sukup, Ian Kirvida, Michael Orme, Isaac Wagner, Jack Groppoli, William Barth, Charles Kern, Declan Schultz, Cadence Caruso, Henry Cleary, Charles Bagley, Max Iffert, Daniel Podolyan, Jeremiah Rushing, William Stone
Simley, Inver Grove Heights
Summa cum laude
Erik Aparicio-Lopez, Nicholas Binsfeld, Rose Burrows, Valerie DuVal, Abe Engleson, Ella Erdman, Bailey Frank, Gwynn Gorter, Austin Grzywinski, Kristina Gurgel, Katalena Hay, Theodore Hepper, Brittany Hernandez, Imaria Im, Alice Islam, Anna Kos, Hannah Kurowski, Jonah Leonida, Abigale Lindquist, Thomas Lorentz, Amanda MacDougall Quesada, Daniel Martin, Lily Mattsen, Megan Miles, Jazlynn Nelson, Madeline Ngo, Tapio Niemioja, Hao Phung, Avery Renslow, Kenia Rivera Mendoza, Valeria Salcido Rodriguez, Liam Sanford, Rachael Scufsa, James Swearingen, Jordan Tschida-Nitti, Louis Tuccitto, Mary Yassa
Somerset, Wis.
Summa cum laude: Makena Ducklow, Nolan Harty, Julia Hills, Peyton Kirchner, Caeden Kreibich, Talon Lane, Dylan Livingston, Ellie Melvin, Jenna Peper, Alyssa Plantenberg, Ashlyn Rice, Hayley Settem, Elizabeth Wilson
Magna cum laude: Malachy Driscoll, Payton Fuller, Caymen Gebheim, Natalie Hansen, Mason Miller, Ella Reese, Julia Rybacki, Ava Urquhart, Joon Vang, Conrad Webb
Cum laude: Jaelinn Caroon, Julius Cook Jr., Riley Donahue, Sophia Emmert, Isabella Eskierka, Ellen Fohrenkamm, Ayden Grover, Sydney Hahn, Brielle Harris, Madisyn Hohler, Rachel Hoyt, Aiden Johnson, Ellie Kjellberg, Morgan Kjellberg, Samantha Klabechek, Adam Knefelkamp, Kaiden McWillimas, Brooke Olson, Jessa Patterson, Riley Perro, Kendra Pritchett, Gabriella Richert, Sophia Schiavone, Ada Schottler, Ava Young
South St. Paul
Andrew Bonk.
Parents: Phil and Marissa Bonk
College, major: St. Olaf College, exercise science/kinesiology
Quote: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” — Rocky Balboa, “Rocky Balboa (2006)”
Zachary Becker
Parents: Brian Becker and Angela Becker
College, major: University of St. Thomas, business management
Quote: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” — Heraclitus
Mallory Brandecker
Parents: Bob and Jamie Brandecker
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, rehabilitation science
Broderyck Shepard
Parent: Jamie Shepard
College, major: Boston College, engineering
Quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Noah Oeffling
Parents: Phillip and Theresa Oeffling
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, business
Jenna Sherry
Parents: Sara Madden and Matthew Sherry
College, major: University of St. Thomas, exercise science
Quote: “The belonging you seek is not behind you, it is ahead.” — Maz Kanata, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
Dionna Uzueta-Lucio
Parents: Char Ferraro, Jim Ferraro and Shantell Lucio
College, major: St. Olaf College, history and biology
Quote: “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” — Sherlock Holmes stories, Arthur Conan Doyle
Izaak Burk
Parents: Joe Burk and Nikki Burk
College, major: Jacksonville, Fla., University; aviation management and flight operations
Meghan Colebeck
Parents: Suzy and Kyle Colebeck
College, major: Gustavus Adolphus College, biology
Eva Beck
Parents: Peter and Shannon Beck
College, major: University of Minnesota-Duluth, chemical engineering
Stillwater Area
Top 5 percent
Samuel Young, Meredith Christensen, Violet Johnson, Lillian Smith, Ethan Foote, Paige Hebert, Zachary Nelson, Jesse Hendrickson, John Dieterle, Cole Handberg, Anna Corbid, Kendall Arsenault, Cohen Smith, Lucy Wilcek, Nadwah Mohammed, Michael Fredericks, Griffin Stone, Chloe Fliflet, Nathan Harvey, Corey Walsh, Sarah Fentaw, Olivia Williams, Cayman Pagel, Joseph Hoheisel, Eleyna Dizon, Brady Bushlack, Amelia Brower, Ava Erickson, Jeffrey Heidtke, Grace Grant, Paige Schmit, Carter Magistad, James Daum, Jordan Fauks, Alexandra Funk
Tartan, Oakdale
Kierstin Quam
Parent: Rachel Quam
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, computer engineering
Quote: “A little nervous breakdown can really work wonders for a girl.” — Rory Gilmore, “Gilmore Girls”
Asia Vue
Parents: Pao Vue and Pa Lee
College, major: University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, marketing
Quote: “How dare we sit quietly, and watch the world pass us by.” – “The Night Is Still Young,” Nicki Minaj
Abigail Larson
Parents: Julie and Jason Larson
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, biomedical engineering
Quote: “Since I first gained the use of reason, my inclination toward learning has been so violent and strong that neither the scoldings of other people … nor my own reflections … have been able to stop me from following this natural impulse that God gave me.” — Juana Ines de la Cruz, whose scholarly work was condemned by the Bishop of Puebla as being inappropriate for her gender
Benjamin Fox
Parents: Andy and Lara Fox
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, aerospace engineering
Quote: “Once something is a passion, the motivation is there.” — Michael Schumacher, German racing driver
Ramadan Jato Ambo
Parents: Makia Biftu Roba and Jato Ambo Chabsi
College, major: University of Minnesota, biomedical engineering
Quote: “We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure — who say, when struck by a disaster, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return.’” — Quran 2:155, 2:156
Justin Kardong
Parents: Elizabeth Kardong and Jesse Kardong
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, anthropology
Quote: “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle
Kyle Schieffer
Parent: Anthony Schieffer
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, computer engineering
Quote: “The convoluted wording of legalisms grew up around the necessity to hide from ourselves the violence we intend toward each other. Between depriving a man of one hour from his life and depriving him of his life there exists only a difference of degree. You have done violence to him, consumed his energy. Elaborate euphemisms may conceal your intent to kill, but behind any use of power over another the ultimate assumption remains: ‘I feed on your energy.’” – “Dune Messiah,” Frank Herbert
Lily Kugler
Parent: Anna Wiatros
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, mathematics
Quote: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” — Maya Angelou
Lexi Lamprecht
Parents: James and Michelle Lamprecht
College, major: Century College, marketing and business management
Quote: “If you don’t build your own dream, someone else will hire you to build theirs.”
Suhayla Aden
Parent: Nimo Salim
College, major: University of Minnesota, nursing
Quote: “An open mind is your strongest suit.”
Trinity School at River Ridge, Eagan
Cum laude
Graduate award: Anna Becker
Parents: Steven and Ling Becker
College: University of Dallas, Irving, Texas
Graduate award: Xavier Distelzweig
Parents: Peter and Chezarae Distelzweig
College: St. Olaf College
Luke Andry
Parents: Kory and Leslie Andry
College: University of St. Thomas
Jack Bascom
Parents: Joel and Stephanie Bascom
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Illani Buckholdt
Parents: Mark and Illiana Buckholdt
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Isabel Cunningham
Parents: Ben and Lucy Cunningham
College: University of Mary, Bismarck N.D.
Justin Groppel
Parents: David and Karen Groppel
College: University of St. Thomas
Alicia Guo
Parents: Zhengyu Guo and Annie Xu
College: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Soren Jacobs
Parents: Matthew and Jennifer Jacobs
College: Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill.
Samuel Reinhardt
Parents: Jim and Nadine Reinhardt
College: University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.
Bridget Tabor
Parents: Dave and Sara Tabor
College: Benedictine College, Atchinson, Kan.
Hosea Wohler
Parents: Peter and Jessica Wohler
College: South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City
Twin Cities Academy
Miriam Schauer
Parents: Rebecca and Kenneth Schauer
College, major: University of Wisconsin-Madison, astronomy
Luke Runquist
Parents: Alicia and Christopher Runquist
College: Carleton College
Seth Engstrom
Parents: Kim and Joel Engstrom
College, major: University of St. Thomas, mathematics
Nathanael Rahberg
Parents: Elizabeth and Samuel Rahberg
College, major: The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; exercise science
Phetsara Vu
Parents: Youa Hang and Gao Neng Vu
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, biochemistry
Oskar Buterin
Parents: Jennifer Ampulski and Steve Buterin
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, biochemistry
Lucy Po
Parents: Hsarbee and Zamber Po
College, major: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, marketing
Jared Mora Gonzalez
Parents: Amahirani Mora Gonzalez and Luis Arenales
College, major: University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, accounting
Jayda Ostertag
Parents: Jamie and Dirk Ostertag
College, major: University of St. Thomas, business
Alana Vang
Parent: Deanna Vue
College, major: University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, business administration
Two Rivers, Mendota Heights
Highest honors
Yasmin Abdullahi, Meron Abebe, Eyual Alemayehu, Amen Alemu, Brady Altier, Mia Amadick, Samuel Amundson, Nara Anderson, Ava Appleton, Maria Axinia, Charlotte Barry, Makenna Bishop, Joshua Brandt, Maria Brizuela Ventura, Caroline Brown, Savannah Carr, Elliot Chandler, Mia Cheesebrough, Isak Christopherson, Brenda Cruz Mejia, Jack Dahlager, Ashley Denenholz, Samuel Dereje, Amelia Dirksen, Natalie Dirksen, Andrew Eckmann, Adalyn Fernandes, Avery Franco, Nathan Frisch, Gray Gallant, Finley Gustafson, Brandon Hanson, Zamzam Hassan, Quinn Hendel, Madeleine Hendricks, Allison Henning, Alissa Hughes, Quinlin Huntley, Sophia Kanavati, Nina Kanavati, Erik Kellogg, Gabrielle Kirchner, Griffin Lawrence, Sofia Littlefield, Grace Lyles, Maia McDougall, Marjorie McEllistrem, Ashley McKennell, Althea Meyer, Ezra Mogelson, Polly Morgan, Julia Munson, Lauren Noggle, Samuel Odden, Riley Pearce, Nayelly Perez Fuentes, Sophia Rash, Luke Reisig, Enrique Rodriguez, Emily Rosen, Brittany Sanchez-Castillo, Chloe Schell, Lucia Schomer, Zachary Seabright, Kiran Sharma, Tate Slowiak, Kyle Smith, Jesus Solarte Borjas, Sophia Soriano, John Staples, Jonathan Steiner, Ashlyn Stone, Alexandra Taney, Isabella Tollefson, Dasha Volkmann, Lucy Wedewer, Anna Wilson, Ethan Young
Unity, Balsam Lake, Wis.
Sloan Horgan
College: University of Wisconsin-Stout
Wyatt Kocurek
College: Northland College, Ashland, Wis.
Megan Collins
College: Gustavus Adolphus College
Ann Boland
College: University of St. Thomas
Maggie Brown
College: Concordia College, Moorhead
Sophia Crowe
College: Winona State University
Rebecca McGrane
Next: workforce
Michael Boland
College: Northland College, Ashland, Wis.
Sydney Smith
College: University of Wisconsin-Superior
Madison Reed
College: University of Minnesota Duluth
Shelby Perron
College: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Alexis Nadeau
College: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Max Butala
Next: military, foreign service officer
Visitation, Mendota Heights
Paige Abbott
Parents: Kirsten and Chad Abbott
College: College of St. Benedict
Kenley Barberot
Parents: Christina and David Barberot
College: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.
Ella Doyle
Parents: Katie and Sean Doyle
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Grace Keeley
Parents: Anne and Joseph Keeley
College: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Claire Kodama
Parents: Catherine and Scott Kodama
College: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Mary Kolar
Parents: Amy and Mike Kolar
College: University of Notre Dame
Virginia Kraus
Parents: Paula and Thomas Kraus
College: Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
Sophia Kyba
Parents: Rita and Michael Kyba
College: Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich.
Grace Loonan
Parents: Kelly McSweeney and Michael Loonan
College: University of Notre Dame
Caitlin Mulligan
Parents: Diane and Don Mulligan
College: Boston College
Lucy O’Brien
Parents: Amy and John O’Brien
College: Tufts University, Medford, Mass.
Ava Raiter
Parents: Elizabeth and Shawn Raiter
College: Boston College
Anne Swanholm
Parents: Nancy and John Swanholm
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Washington Technology Magnet, St. Paul
Summa cum laude
Samira Abdi, Alondra Cuevas-Marquez, Ariel Fang, Jaelynn Farquharson, Margaret Fear, John Hoang, Aye Roh Htoo, Paw Shee Htoo, Htoo Kbri, Prakash Kharel, Samuel Kudadjie, Emiliah Lee, June Lee, Kelsy Lee, Lavender Lee, Lena Lee, Nathan Lee, Jyra Mish Lucas, Sa Kwa Min, Gloria Ngwa, Joe Thao, Mike Thor, Houachi Vang, Jorge Vargas, Andrea Viniegra Uscanga, Kanah Vue, Law Eh Doh Wah, Amy Xiong, Esmeralda Xiong, Gohan Yang
White Bear Lake Area
Camdyn Bachmeier, Jack Binsfeld, Theodore Brooks-Evans, Xanthea-Simon Carlson, Kendall Craigan, Quinn Denne, Isabella Femrite, Laine Graening, Jessica Grann, Brandon Hook, Jordan Humphrey, Natalie Jahnke, Skylar Johnson, Karolis Kairys, Christopher Knoebel, Brayden Kolb, Aidan Kregness, Paige Larsen, Conner Matuza, Colin McMonigal, Addison Medin, Maxine Pagaduan, Bree Rautenberg, Annika Schroeder, Eli Simanek, Ashley Stambaugh, Elizabeth Wallek, Vera Zech, Michael Zewdie
Wolf Creek Online, Chisago City
Kayleigh LaBelle, Brandon Pearce, Maddisen Deyo, Austin Abayare lll, Madelyn Jones, Megan Lappe, Zoe Jane Gunderson, MacKenzie Snow, Alexis Strandmark, Candace McDowell, Ryan Watters, Jack Gross, Emma Proefrock, Hailey Stevens, Oliver Roush, Abbey Elk, Madison Stanway, Cecilia LaBelle, Sadie Horn, Loralei Chamberlin, Laci Heiserman, Marie Christensen, Aiden Fournier, Alexander Osmera, Jakob Adams, Jared Windingstad, Kerian Anderson, Pierce Moos, Lauren Houle, Kelsey Habeck, Julianna Willem, Alana Frahm, Jordyn Ruzynski, Autumn Morris, Amanda Grundtner, Cora Schmidt, Jeshayla George, Jazelle Tyson, Ethan Hunt, Draven Schilke, Elizabeth Sauerwein-Willer, Alyssa McMahon, Kaden Wasson, Nathanael Melanson, Devin Schuler, Colton Mason, Yahye Ismail, Bukhari Jaamac, Kyle Bookey
Woodbury
Summa cum laude with distinction
Serena Zhu
Parents: Jinzhu Yu and Shiwei Zhu
College, major: Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.; computer science
Quote: “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” — Minor Myers Jr.
Sarah Rundquist
Parents: Michelle and Matt Rundquist
College, major: University of Southern California, Los Angeles; biomedical engineering
Quote: “Today I shall behave as if this is the day I will be remembered.“
Ethan Chen
Parents: Andy and Christina Chen
College, major: Marquette University, Milwaukee; biomedical sciences, pre-dental
Quote: “Just do it.” — Nike
Sarah Spielbauer
Parents: HIldegard Schneider and Thomas Spielbauer
College, major: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, psychology and data science
Quote: “Enjoy the little things.”
Tony Baston
Parents: David and Jennifer Baston
College, major: Iowa State University; computer science, agricultural systems technology
Quote: “I don’t care what you do. If you are a garbage collector, be the best garbage collector.” — Paul Alsides
Kate Westlake
Parents: Michele and Jeremy Westlake
College, major: Duke University, Durham, N.C.; public policy
Quote: “The end of all knowledge should be service to others.” — Cesar Chavez
Yifan Zhai
Parents: Guangshu Zhai and Xia Mei
College, major: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; bioengineering
Quote: “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.” — Malala Yousafzai
Eunsol Lee
Parents: Eun Kyung Baek and Seong Taek Lee
College, major: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, electrical engineering
Quote: “I didn’t think I would be prime minister, because I didn’t consider it. But that’s the power of saying yes, because there will be a moment when someone asks you to do something beyond your comfort zone. I am not unique.” — Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Nora Kelly
Parents: Jean and Neil Kelly
College, major: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.; architecture
Quote: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Liam Frommelt
Parents: Bill and Jennifer Frommelt
College: Gustavus Adolphus College
Quote: “If you see me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear.” — Kobe Bryant
Deb Mazzocco can be contacted at dmazzocco@pioneerpress.com.
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